VIJAYA ANAWADE

Vijaya Anawade is 41 years old from the town of Bhingar, 20 km (~12.5 miles) southwest of Meher Free Dispensary. Her husband Iswarlal died 2 years ago because of complications from high blood pressure. Vijaya has had asthma for 10 years. She went to many private hospitals but she would have only temporary relief from their treatments. Every month she was not able to purchase the medicines from the local pharmacy and also pay the doctors’ consulting fees. She is very poor—she is employed washing people’s pots and clothes. She wakes up early in the morning and does this washing from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, working for 7 different homes each day. Coming to the Dispensary has changed her life because she can now get her treatment and medicines for free.

Vijaya has one son whose name is Vaibhav. He is 21 years old and is studying in an engineering college in Pune. She provides every month 3000 Rupees to her son for his hostel fees. She also pays 9000 Rupees for his yearly admission fees. She does not own her house and pays rent. She comes to MFD every month with her friend from Bhingar.